U.S. appeals court strikes down Biden-era stove efficiency rule

A U.S. appeals court has vacated a Biden administration rule mandating stricter energy efficiency standards for residential stoves and ovens, ruling that the Department of Energy (DOE) failed to follow required procedures.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found that the DOE’s 2023 rule exceeded its statutory authority and did not adequately assess the rule’s economic impact on manufacturers and consumers. The decision marks a setback for the administration’s broader energy efficiency agenda, which includes appliance regulations aimed at reducing household energy consumption.

The rule, finalized in December 2023, would have required residential gas and electric stoves and ovens to meet higher energy efficiency standards by 2026. Industry groups, including the American Gas Association and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, had challenged the rule, arguing it imposed unnecessary costs without delivering proportional energy savings.

In its ruling, the court emphasized that the DOE did not provide sufficient evidence to justify the rule’s benefits relative to its burdens. The judges also questioned whether the agency had properly considered alternatives that might achieve similar energy savings with less economic disruption.

The DOE has not indicated whether it will appeal the decision or pursue a revised rule. The ruling does not affect existing energy efficiency standards for other household appliances, such as refrigerators or washing machines.

The case reflects broader legal and political tensions over energy regulation, with appliance efficiency rules becoming a flashpoint in debates over federal authority and consumer choice.